By Buziwe Nocuze
• Residents say trolley operators charged just R25 to R30, but now they must pay taxi operators between R80 and R100 to transport groceries.
• Former trolley operators say taxi drivers told them to stop working because they were taking away business, while Codeta says it will investigate the claims.
Residents in Khayelitsha say they are paying much more to get their groceries home after trolley operators were allegedly chased away by taxi drivers and owners.
The trolley operators used to charge between R25 and R30 to transport shopping from the Site B Centre in Cape Town.
Now, residents claim they are being forced to use taxis that charge between R80 and R100 for the same trip.
Many say they simply cannot afford it.
Nolizwi Mfeya, who survives on part-time jobs and her two children’s social grants, said the cheaper trolley service helped families already struggling with the high cost of living.
“They chased away the trolley operators so they can charge us much more. We are already paying a lot for food and transport. Now we must find even more money just to get our groceries home,” she told Scrolla.Africa.
Mfeya said residents should be free to choose how they transport their shopping.
“What they are doing is wrong. It feels like they are bullying both the trolley operators and the community. Many of us don’t have jobs. Every rand counts. We just want the trolley operators to be allowed to work again,” she said.
Former trolley operator Lizo Nkwali said he was shocked when taxi drivers told him to stop working.
“Two taxi drivers asked me who gave me permission to work there. I told them nobody did because I didn’t know I needed permission. They said I was taking their business and had to stop,” he said.
At first, Nkwali thought they were joking.
But after speaking to other trolley operators, he realised they had also been told to leave.
He said losing this job has left him with no way to support himself.
Before pushing trolleys, Nkwali sold chicken feet and Russians.
He said he stopped because he was expected to pay protection fees.
“I never thought taxi drivers would also chase me away from this job. Now I don’t know how I will survive,” he said.
Residents are now calling on taxi operators to allow the trolley operators back so shoppers can once again choose the cheaper service.
Codeta spokesperson Makhosandile Tumana said he was unaware of the complaints.
“This is the first time I am hearing about it. I will speak to the Site B station route about these allegations,” he said.
Pictured above: Khayelitsha residents say they are paying more to transport groceries after trolley operators were allegedly forced to stop working.
Image source: Supplied.
